HybridCars.com » Continentalhttp://www.hybridcars.com
Auto alternatives for the 21st centuryTue, 03 Mar 2015 19:06:40 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.2Augmented Reality Coming To A Windshield Near Youhttp://www.hybridcars.com/augmented-reality-coming-to-a-windshield-near-you/
http://www.hybridcars.com/augmented-reality-coming-to-a-windshield-near-you/#commentsFri, 08 Aug 2014 05:34:24 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=177170Automotive components manufacturer Continental is working on a new generation of head-up displays that will be more active and show more than simply the speed and what the parking sensors can sense. Equipped with augmented-reality technology, Continental said these head-up displays (HUD) can mark objects directly in the driver’s field of vision for the first […]

]]>Automotive components manufacturer Continental is working on a new generation of head-up displays that will be more active and show more than simply the speed and what the parking sensors can sense.

Equipped with augmented-reality technology, Continental said these head-up displays (HUD) can mark objects directly in the driver’s field of vision for the first time. The company strongly believes with this capability, the HUD can have a major hand in gaining acceptance for automated driving.

The augmented-reality head-up display (AR-HUD) Continental is working on is said to be able to show the driver what vehicle sensors such as radars and cameras can see and what driving strategy the electronics have chosen as a result.

The automotive supplier expects it to be ready for production in 2017.

“With the latest generation of head-up displays, we are positioning ourselves as a technology leader in a market that studies show has the potential to crack the billion mark as early as 2018,” said Helmut Matschi, a member of Continental’s Executive Board and head of the Interior division.

Worldwide, ten automotive manufacturers currently offer a head-up display as an option in a total of 19 vehicle models. Continental estimates the global volume of installed head-up displays to be around 1.5 million units for the current year; the automotive supplier expects this volume to more than triple by 2018.

Continental has implemented an advanced pre-development version of this new technology in a demo vehicle, able to reflect full-color graphics into the real road view in the driver’s field of vision.

The company explained the basis for this is “digital micromirror device” (DMD) technology, which is also used in digital cinema projects. The AR-HUD is said to display information from driver assistance systems, such as lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control, in the driver’s field of vision. For example, it can show drivers which vehicle their vehicle system has detected ahead.

Continental believes the AR-HUD is key in helping increase the acceptance of automated driving. The company gave as an example the fact AR-HUD can show the driver which vehicles, objects, and/or road markings have been detected and what driving strategy has been chosen as a result. An automated overtaking maneuver can be announced, for example, by highlighting the lane.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/augmented-reality-coming-to-a-windshield-near-you/feed/0Conti.eContact Tire Dedicated To Hybrid Vehicleshttp://www.hybridcars.com/conti-econtact-tire-dedicated-to-hybrid-vehicles/
http://www.hybridcars.com/conti-econtact-tire-dedicated-to-hybrid-vehicles/#commentsThu, 19 Jun 2014 11:29:14 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=159898Continental has upgraded its Conti.eContact tire, originally launched in 2011 with electric vehicles in mind, and refined it to meet the needs of hybrid models. Continental’s in-house studies point to a growing market for hybrids in the future, which could account for as much as eight percent by 2020. With this in mind, Continental said […]

]]>Continental has upgraded its Conti.eContact tire, originally launched in 2011 with electric vehicles in mind, and refined it to meet the needs of hybrid models.

Continental’s in-house studies point to a growing market for hybrids in the future, which could account for as much as eight percent by 2020. With this in mind, Continental said the Conti.eContact features a range of newly developed technologies, and is also the first tire in the range to obtain the top A label rating on the EU Tire Label for both wet grip and rolling resistance.

Continental explained its chemists have achieved much progress with the Conti.eContact, such as a 20 percent reduction in rolling resistance, thanks to the newly developed Green Chili compound. The silica compound of the new Conti.eContact is constructed in such a way that the internal friction of the filler particles and the polymers is lower than in conventional rubber compounds. This results in lower rolling resistance, said Continental.

Along with the new technologies adopted, the sidewalls of the new Conti.eContact have also been redesigned, continued Continental. The company’s tire designers focused on minimizing aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance. They achieved this through the aerodynamically modified sidewall and its flexible, lightweight design.

When hybrid vehicles run in electric mode they are virtually silent. As tire noise is no longer drowned out by other sources of noise such as a conventional engine, it is all the more noticeable, added Continental. Consequently, the tire company said the new Conti.eContact is designed to generate minimal audible noise in the interior. This is achieved with the aid of ContiSilent technology, a thin layer of polyurethane foam attached to the inside of the tread that reduces the vibrations that are generated as the tire rolls across the surface of the road.

The Conti.eContact will feature the “BlueEco” logo on the sidewall and be originally available in six sizes for 17 and 18-inch rims, specially designed for models such as the Vauxhall Ampera, Chevrolet Volt, BMW 5 series ActiveHybrid, Lexus LS 600h and Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid. Continental added the Conti.eContact will also be available for other cars and SUVs with hybrid drive.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/conti-econtact-tire-dedicated-to-hybrid-vehicles/feed/0Feel Like Rolling On Dandelion Rubber?http://www.hybridcars.com/feel-like-rolling-on-dandelion-rubber/
http://www.hybridcars.com/feel-like-rolling-on-dandelion-rubber/#commentsTue, 13 May 2014 04:34:06 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=148921Hate Dandelion? You may not see those invasive yellow flowers adorning your lawn the same way anymore. Continental Tires and the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME) have been honored at the GreenTec Awards 2014 for their co-development project “RUBIN – Industrial Emergence of Natural Rubber from Dandelion.” A 60-member jury panel […]

]]>Hate Dandelion? You may not see those invasive yellow flowers adorning your lawn the same way anymore.

Continental Tires and the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME) have been honored at the GreenTec Awards 2014 for their co-development project “RUBIN – Industrial Emergence of Natural Rubber from Dandelion.”

A 60-member jury panel consisting of experts from industry, academia, trade associations, and the media considered this project to be an outstanding example of commitment to the environment and pioneering environmental technology in the category “Automobility.”

Continental said the award ceremony was held at the start of IFAT, the world’s leading trade fair for environmental technology, in front of 1000 guests from the worlds of business, sport and entertainment.

The GreenTec Awards, of which there are 14 different categories, are Europe’s biggest environmental and business awards and were first presented in 2008.

“We are very pleased to receive this award for our dandelion rubber project. Continental is pushing a very promising technology whose full potential will fully unfold in the next few years. In view of increasing levels of motorization in growth markets such as Asia, we expect a major increase in demand for natural rubber in the future. We are convinced that the use of rubber from dandelion root will make our tyre production considerably more efficient and sustainable,” said Nikolai Setzer, Member of the Executive Board of Continental and Head of Tire Division.

Continental added it is, with IME, currently working on the industrial use of Russian dandelions, which are said to be very rubber-rich and do not need a tropical climate in contrast to regular rubber trees. This undemanding plant can be cultivated in a number of temperate regions on what is known as “marginal land” that was previously unusable in terms of agriculture.

“Dandelion rubber will shorten transport routes to our production sites and enable the growing global demand for rubber to be met without sacrificing more precious areas of rainforest. Both these factors will have a sustainably positive effect on the world’s carbon footprint and on bio-diversity,” said Dr. Andreas Topp, Vice President Material and Process Development and Industrialisation Tyres at Continental. “In the RUBIN project we are working to find an ecologically, economically and socially viable solution to meet this growing demand.”

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/feel-like-rolling-on-dandelion-rubber/feed/01.0 Liter EcoBoost Engine Gets Its Future Development Boostedhttp://www.hybridcars.com/1-0-liter-ecoboost-engine-gets-its-future-development-boosted/
http://www.hybridcars.com/1-0-liter-ecoboost-engine-gets-its-future-development-boosted/#commentsThu, 24 Apr 2014 11:04:23 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=142954Ford’s Dunton Technical Centre received funding from the UK government to develop further the small EcoBoost engine and help bring new generation low-CO2 engine technologies to market. Ford stated the ACTIVE (Advanced Combustion Turbocharge Inline Variable Valvetrain Engine) project is one of a number of initiatives supported by the APC (Advanced Propulsion Centre), which has […]

]]>Ford’s Dunton Technical Centre received funding from the UK government to develop further the small EcoBoost engine and help bring new generation low-CO2 engine technologies to market.

Ford stated the ACTIVE (Advanced Combustion Turbocharge Inline Variable Valvetrain Engine) project is one of a number of initiatives supported by the APC (Advanced Propulsion Centre), which has been set up by the Automotive Council, as the focus of a joint industry and government strategy that will help the UK accelerate its leadership in advanced propulsion development and production.

The ACTIVE project is a multi-million pound investment by UK government and industry and is part of £1 billion that the APC will channel into the UK automotive industry over the next decade.

Ford explained ACTIVE is centred on the company’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, the International Engine of the Year in 2012 and 2013 and which is eligible to win the award for an unprecedented third consecutive year in 2014. The project will accelerate the introduction of future-generation low carbon technologies, including advanced turbocharging, advanced combustion system development and variable valvetrain technology, targeting substantial CO2 savings.

Project work will be carried out at various partner locations throughout the UK with key activities coordinated from Ford Dunton, said the company’s British arm. Eleven partners included in the consortium are Ford, Continental, Schaeffler, UEES (Unipart Eberspacher Exhaust Systems), University of Bath, Loughborough University, University of Bradford, University of Nottingham, BP, Cambustion and AP Raicam (Automotive Products).

ACTIVE brings Ford’s global R&D resources and some of Europe’s top Tier 1 suppliers to the UK to develop advanced technologies with engineers at Ford’s Dagenham and Dunton Engineering Centres and four of the UK’s leading automotive research universities. Ford added it will also engage the existing UK supply chain; presenting opportunities for participating UK based component and equipment suppliers to further develop their businesses.

Ford ended by stating engineering and development of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine was centred at Ford Dagenham and the popularity of the engine has seen more than 34 percent of UK Ford customers select this as their gasoline engine of choice in its various applications, which currently include the Ford Fiesta, Ford B-Max, Ford Focus, Ford C-Max and Ford Transit Connect.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/1-0-liter-ecoboost-engine-gets-its-future-development-boosted/feed/0Green Energy Used To Build Bentleyshttp://www.hybridcars.com/green-energy-used-to-build-bentleys/
http://www.hybridcars.com/green-energy-used-to-build-bentleys/#commentsWed, 09 Oct 2013 05:03:11 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=78089Bentley may not yet have a hybrid or a PHEV in its luxurious lineup, but it is now building its cars with lots of green, rooftop-sourced, energy. Bentley Motors today welcomed Greg Barker, UK’s Energy and Climate Change Minister, to its headquarters in Pyms Lane, Crewe, to find out more about the recent installation of […]

]]>Bentley may not yet have a hybrid or a PHEV in its luxurious lineup, but it is now building its cars with lots of green, rooftop-sourced, energy.

Bentley Motors today welcomed Greg Barker, UK’s Energy and Climate Change Minister, to its headquarters in Pyms Lane, Crewe, to find out more about the recent installation of over 20,000 solar panels on its factory roof.

The Bentley factory is where the brand’s three main model lines – Continental, Flying Spur and Mulsanne – are manufactured.

The solar panel installation project, located on the top of Bentley’s Crewe installations, the biggest of its kind in the UK.

“The solar panels have generated over 2,200,000 kilowatt-hour’s of energy since its installation in March, having a hugely positive impact on the efficiency and sustainability of our manufacturing operations,” said Michael Straughan, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Manufacturing. “We’re very proud of the project and so are delighted to welcome Greg Barker to the factory and share the information behind that success.”

The solar panels are owned and operated by Lightsource Renewable Energy Limited and engineered, constructed and maintained by Solarcentury. They are set over 3.45 hectares of roof space and have a capacity of 5 megawatt. The installation generates enough energy to power over 1,200 UK households and is three times more powerful than the second largest roof mounted system in the UK.

Bentley said it is anticipated that at peak generation times, the system will produce up to 40 percent of Bentley’s energy requirements and reduce CO2 usage by over 2,500 tones per year.

“Solar is a genuinely exciting energy of the future and the Coalition Government is committed to placing solar at the heart of the UK’s energy mix.” said Greg Barker, Energy and Climate Change Minister. “Bentley’s solar project here in Crewe is a fantastic example of how solar can work in practice. It’s generating a huge amount of energy, cutting costs and reducing carbon.”

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/green-energy-used-to-build-bentleys/feed/0Continental Believes In Electrification Tailored To Fithttp://www.hybridcars.com/continental-believes-in-electrification-tailored-to-fit/
http://www.hybridcars.com/continental-believes-in-electrification-tailored-to-fit/#commentsWed, 08 May 2013 05:11:02 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=58267At the 34th International Vienna Engine Symposium, the international automotive supplier Continental presented future “clean power” solutions that it will be offering between now and 2020, aimed at making vehicles more efficient and environmentally friendly while also offering strong performance. Continental believes that direct-injection (DI) gasoline engines still offer significant further potential and is therefore […]

]]>At the 34th International Vienna Engine Symposium, the international automotive supplier Continental presented future “clean power” solutions that it will be offering between now and 2020, aimed at making vehicles more efficient and environmentally friendly while also offering strong performance.

Continental believes that direct-injection (DI) gasoline engines still offer significant further potential and is therefore continuing to press forward with the development of components and engine management concepts for this type of engine.

Meanwhile, the company also believes electric mobility must become more cost-efficient. The companies motto is “Electrification, tailored to fit.”

As Continental explained, today, internal combustion engines often continue running even in situations where this is not absolutely necessary in terms of maintaining propulsion.

In the interests of systematic optimization, the engine should ideally be shut down in such phases.

Continental believes such optimization could be significantly assisted by electrification.

“Continental is taking a pragmatic approach to hybridization,” said Xavier Pujol, Head of the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Business Unit within the Powertrain Division. “Our approach starts with utilizing the full potential of 12V electrical networks. If more electrical power is required, a second – 48V – voltage level can be added. The Continental 48-volt system, incorporating a lithium-ion battery of cost-efficient size and with an energy rating of, say, 10 Ah, would be capable of supporting a wide range of mild hybrid functions without needing high-voltage capability and at a realistic market price. Such ‘tailored to fit electrification’ would allow carmakers to take a step-by-step approach.”

Unlike cost-intensive full hybrid systems, a 48-volt system does not require modification of the engine and transmission configuration. For Continental, this means it can be implemented cost-efficiently, for smaller vehicle models as well.

“More effective energy recovery with the 48V system, and intelligent operating strategies, allow significant savings to be achieved in everyday driving,” says Pujol, summing up the benefits for the driver.

Such operating strategies include “sailing” and “coasting.” In the so-called “sailing” mode, the vehicle can be kept at a constant speed using the 48-volt system’s electrical power, while in coasting mode, the vehicle freewheels or, for example, its kinetic energy is intelligently recovered as it coasts to a standstill.

Continental believes that in light of the above potential, 48-volt electrification in combination with an optimized DI gasoline engine will prove to be a particularly attractive configuration.

By simultaneously developing both of the above-mentioned “clean power” pathways – the internal combustion engine and electrification – Continental said it will be able to support the complete range of optimization strategies on the road to providing clean personal mobility in the year 2020 and beyond.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/continental-believes-in-electrification-tailored-to-fit/feed/0Continental Testing Digital Car Key For EV Carsharing Fleetshttp://www.hybridcars.com/continental-testing-digital-car-key-for-ev-carsharing-fleets/
http://www.hybridcars.com/continental-testing-digital-car-key-for-ev-carsharing-fleets/#commentsFri, 05 Apr 2013 04:13:39 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=56615Are we soon going to be able to do everything via smartphone? Reserving and unlocking electric vehicles and hooking them up to the charging station through our smartphone is on the way. Automotive supplier Continental is working on easing the use of carsharing vehicles by means of a new key technology: a digital car key […]

]]>Are we soon going to be able to do everything via smartphone? Reserving and unlocking electric vehicles and hooking them up to the charging station through our smartphone is on the way.

Automotive supplier Continental is working on easing the use of carsharing vehicles by means of a new key technology: a digital car key wirelessly installed in a smartphone together with a special utility program for cell phones.

The company believes this could revolutionize the spontaneous rental of cars.

Together with Veolia, EVTRONIC, Mercur, and Proxiway, Continental has now started a field test in Bordeaux with a fleet consisting of electric vehicles.

The goal is to create an electric vehicle fleet, which different small and medium enterprises could operate in carsharing. The users gain access to the vehicle by Smartphone and, in addition, they can reserve quick charging stations via the cell phone app.

As technology partner in the project, Continental is launching a complete carsharing solution, including the smartphone car key, the in-car electronics, and the fleet management.

“The smartphone offers users of the electric vehicle fleet in Bordeaux everything from a single source: the car hire station, the car key, and the charging station. The technology provided by Continental for the digital key makes the system particularly convenient, easy, and flexible for operators and users,” explains Andreas Wolf, head of Continental’s Body & Security business unit.

The heart of the car sharing system is Continental’s digital key, which exchanges data with the vehicle using near field communication (NFC).

Continental sends an encrypted forgery-proof data record to the cell phone each time a vehicle is about to be used. Stored on the SIM card, the record contains access authorization for the respective vehicle.

By means of NFC technology, the cell phone transmits the data (authentication, vehicle and diagnosis data, and user profile) across a distance of a few centimeters to an NFC reader integrated into the vehicle windshield. The NFC reader recipient verifies not only access to the vehicle but also permission to start the engine.

The main advantage of using a cell phone as car key is flexibility. Users can rent vehicles on the spur of the moment and easily load the key data onto their cell phone.

“New mobility concepts are becoming increasingly important throughout the world. Our safeguarded end-to-end systems approaches for conveniently accessing and starting a vehicle via smartphone make an important contribution to this trend. Our technology facilitates cost-efficient solutions that users can operate intuitively and easily,” says Wolf.

A special app for smartphones makes it possible to rent a vehicle from the carsharing fleet. The user can use the utility program to find, select, and reserve vehicles in the city region.

The smartphone can even navigate the user to the car’s location.

It’s even possible to rent a vehicle spontaneously: As soon as the user holds his or her cell phone against an available car, a digital key is generated and sent to the smartphone once an availability check has been carried out on the server.

The digital key unlocks the car and, depending on how it is programmed, the app retrieves further data on the condition of the vehicle, before switching to a convenient navigation system.

The same principles allow users to reserve a charging station time slot by cell phone app, identify themselves with their cell phone via NFC, and initiate the quick charging process.

]]>http://www.hybridcars.com/continental-testing-digital-car-key-for-ev-carsharing-fleets/feed/0Cars Doing Stop & Go Driving Autonomously By 2016http://www.hybridcars.com/cars-doing-stop-go-driving-autonomously-by-2016/
http://www.hybridcars.com/cars-doing-stop-go-driving-autonomously-by-2016/#commentsTue, 01 Jan 2013 05:27:59 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=51078Following Google’s lead in testing autonomous vehicles in California and Nevada, Continental has also begin doing so in Nevada. As Google did earlier last year also, automotive supplier Continental received Nevada’s “Autonomous Vehicle Testing License” – a state approval from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to test automated driving on the state’s public […]

]]>Following Google’s lead in testing autonomous vehicles in California and Nevada, Continental has also begin doing so in Nevada.

As Google did earlier last year also, automotive supplier Continental received Nevada’s “Autonomous Vehicle Testing License” – a state approval from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to test automated driving on the state’s public roads.

Continental’s testing license is for the company’s highly automated vehicle, and represents the first license granted by the Nevada DMV to an automotive supplier.

“At Continental, we continue to invest in research and development for next generation technologies – such as our highly automated vehicle – that will drive us toward a safer, more efficient and more comfortable future,” said Dr. Elmar Degenhart, chairman of the executive board of Continental. “As a company, Continental’s strategy is clearly focused on making this type of future technology a reality. It’s clear to us that automated driving will be a key element in the mobility of the future. As a system supplier, we are perfectly positioned to develop and launch series production of solutions for partially automated systems for our customers by 2016. We will be able to develop the first applications for highly and ultimately fully automated driving, even at higher speeds and in more complex driving situations, ready for production by 2020 or 2025.”

Following these approvals, Continental will receive its testing license and red license plate featuring an infinity sign to represent the car of the future.

The plate is designed to be easily recognized by law enforcement and the public at large. This license plate will only be used for licensed test vehicles for automated driving.

“This vehicle demonstrates what modern technology can do to provide a safer, more comfortable drive. Earning this license represents an important intermediate step towards automated driving for Continental,” said Dr. Peter Rieth, head of Systems & Technology in Continental’s Chassis & Safety Division. “Continuing our research and testing in the most challenging environment – public roads – will allow us to continue to assess and develop our highly automated vehicle.”

Continental says its current highly automated vehicle is designed to always have a driver monitoring the vehicle behind the wheel, unlike a completely driverless vehicle.

The automated vehicle can accommodate, according to Continental, multiple driving scenarios. Utilizing four short-range radar sensors (two at the front, two at the rear), one long-range radar and a stereo camera, the vehicle is capable of cruising down an open freeway as well as negotiating heavy rush-hour traffic.

Taking advantage of Continental’s sensor fusion technology as part of the ContiGuard safety concept, the vehicle is able to track all objects as they enter into the sensors’ field of view. The object information is then processed and passed on to the control unit (Continental Motion Domain Controller) to control the vehicle’s longitudinal and lateral motion via signals to the engine, the brakes and the steering system.

The equipment in Continental’s highly automated vehicle differs from the customized sensors and tailor-made actuators in other automated vehicles. The vehicle, which has already logged more than 15,000 test miles (24,000 kilometers), is built primarily with equipment that is already available in series production.

Continental says its short term goal is to relieve the driver of tedious and monotonous activities, such as driving on highways with minimal traffic or in low-speed situations like traffic jams.

Although the concept of complete fully automated driving is valid, it is not yet fully viable, according to Continental. Continental’s highly automated vehicle, however, is seen by the company as an intermediate step toward fully automated driving.

Continental’s vehicle brings Continental closer to achieving the company’s Vision Zero – the goal of reaching zero accidents and zero fatalities on the roadways. Continental will continue real world evaluations with this vehicle.

Continental expects that, starting in 2016, partially automated systems may be assisting drivers in “stop & go” situations on the freeway at low speeds of up to 19 mph.

“Over the last few weeks, we on the Executive Board have considered the strategic and budget planning for our five divisions for the coming year in great detail. For our automotive divisions, this planning includes all of the necessary elements that need to be implemented step-by-step across the board so that fully-automated driving becomes reality by 2025,” said Dr. Elmar Degenhart, chairman of the Executive Board of Continental.

According to Continental, with suitable systems on board, drivers will in the future be able to decide whether to do the driving themselves or to let the vehicle take control. With the market launch of highly automated vehicles by 2020, drivers will be able to concentrate on other activities, such as reading the latest headlines on the Internet. This will give drivers much more freedom.

At the same time, an automatically controlled vehicle will be even safer thanks to the increased interaction with itself and its environment. Furthermore, the energy management and driving characteristics of the vehicle will be optimized on the basis of a real-time data concept, thereby enabling more energy-efficient driving.

Today, more than 1,250 specialists at Continental are working on the basics of automated driving. They are working specifically on driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control and emergency brake assistance, which employ sophisticated technology to record the vehicle environment using a camera, infrared, and radar in various driving situations and therefore to warn, support, and relieve the driver.

While Continental expects to launch autonomous vehicles progressively in 2016, 2020 and fully autonomous in 2025, legislation is decisive when it comes to actual market launch.

“The basic technical prerequisite for the implementation of automated driving is system reliability. Road safety of the highest degree is therefore the essential foundation on which automated driving must be based,” explained Degenhart. In concrete terms, this calls for fail-safe architecture that keeps the vehicle in a safe state in the event of a fault. However, the time frame for development of this necessary safety architecture will not be the sole factor that determines the timing of market launch: “Legislative bodies will take the major decisions as to when and how automated vehicles will be introduced onto the market, and the required legal framework still needs to be drawn up,” added Degenhart.